If you have been bereaved by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease), or if you are caring for someone who has, these pages are for you. Looking after yourself, whether you are bereaved or a carer, is of the utmost importance and will help you to cope at this very challenging time. Use the links below for help, or read on for general information about COVID-19 bereavement. You can also call the Sudden Helpline for emotional and practical support.

COVID-19 bereavement is a challenging bereavement

A bereavement from COVID-19 is likely to be a very challenging kind of bereavement for most people.

Because it is a challenging kind of bereavement, it is really important that people bereaved by COVID-19 are cared for and receive support, especially in the first days and weeks following their bereavement.

We know, from research, that early self-care, care from people immediately around us, and care from others too, can mean that it is easier, over time, to make a recovery, with good mental health.

We know, from the same research, that without early care, traumatically bereaved people are more likely to develop life-impairing illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A death from COVID-19 means:

little time to prepare for a loved one’s death, following a period of illness that they suffered

no time spent with a loved one before they died, due to infection risk

inability to say goodbye after death during this time of pandemic, when normal gatherings are not possible safely

people are grieving while often separated from loved ones who are also grieving but in other locations, as people are not moving around

many practical challenges, for example if the person bereaved was previously receiving care from someone who died, or they have responsibilities to care for others or to continue working

coping with a shocking bereavement at a time when the bereaved person, or others in their circle of family and friends, may also be ill with COVID-19.